Olson Farms donates easement to straighten dangerous curve on South Hershey Road

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners voted June 22 to accept a deed and permanent easement from Olson Farms Incorporated for the 2026-01 asphalt overlay project on South Hershey Road.

"They have generously agreed to uh donate this property for us to straighten out that curves" said Jason Schultz, the highway superintendent, describing the right-of-way acquisition as a low-cost way to improve safety and visibility at a previously treacherous 90-degree curve. Schultz told the board the change will allow traffic to travel through that stretch at about 55 mph where previously the curve was a significant hazard.

Landowner Kirk V. Olson, present at the meeting, said he was "just glad the project's getting done and long overdue," and commissioners thanked him for donating land and allowing the county to use a portion of his property for material stockpiling during construction.

A commissioner moved that the board accept and sign the deed and permanent easement; the motion was seconded and passed on roll call. For the record the board noted the legal description of the tract in government lot one, section six, township 12 north, range 32 west of the sixth prime meridian, Lincoln County, Nebraska, and took signatures on the documents.

Schultz said work could begin immediately, possibly within a day or two depending on scheduling, and that fence removal and other preparatory steps would be coordinated with Mr. Olson. Commissioners emphasized the project would improve visibility and reduce the number of run-off-road incidents at the curve.

The easement acceptance enables the county to proceed with the overlay project and related safety work on South Hershey Road.